KSA & UAE: From Saudi Sands to UAE Skylines

Day 1: Saturday – Jeddah (Arrival)

Arrival at Jeddah International airport, after visa and immigration formalities our representative will meet and escort the guests to their air-conditioned vehicle for their transfer to the hotel. Dinner at leisure & overnight in JEDDAH.

Day 2: Sunday: Jeddah

Breakfast at your hotel. We will start our tour with the visit of Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum that presents the local and Arabian heritage. A unique site. We will then hit old Jeddah. We will enjoy a wonderful walking in Al-Balad , the old part of the city .This walk tour of the old Town will take you along all the less known must-see local spots: Old Market hidden gems, Old Jeddah hidden galleries, local Jeddah food only for locals… While visiting Al-Balad, visitors will be taken to see Beit Nassif (exterior), one of the prominent renovated structures in the old city, which dates back to the mid 1800's. The five-story building provides a rare opportunity for the visitors to experience the blend of traditional architecture with modernity. Lunch in the city. Then we will pass by the Al Rahmah Mosque also known as the Floating Mosque, this single domed architectural marvel that sits literally on the sea, symbolizes Jeddah’s bold storm into the modern age. Sitting on an enviable location, the mosque’s courtyard offers unencumbered views of the Red Sea. Our tour will end with the Jeddah Corniche which is the 30 km coastal resort area of the city of Jeddah. Located along the Red Sea, the corniche features a coastal road, recreation areas, pavilions and as well as King Fahd's Fountain (usually operates after 6pm), the highest fountain in the world. Dinner & overnight in Jeddah.

Day 3: Monday: Jeddah – Umluj

Breakfast at your hotel & check out. Today we depart to the Umluj, located on the coast of the Red Sea, the small Northwestern town of Umluj, part of the Red Sea Project, is underway to premier resort destination. For those who love nature, outdoor adventures, and unique cultural vibes, Umluj offers unforgettable experiences. Lunch en route. Check in upon arriving. And depart on a Umluj boat trip where we explore the island and swim. After the experience, head back to hotel. Dinner in hotel & overnight in Umluj.

Day 4: Tuesday: Umluj Alula

Breakfast at your hotel & check out. Today we depart to the AlUla. Al-Ula is an ancient oasis that is inhabited for the last 7000 years as testify ancient carvings in and around the oasis. During the 1st millennium BCE the city of Dedan develops thanks to its strategic location on the frankincense trade road to become one of the oldest Arabian kingdoms that ruled over most of what is today Tabuk and Madinah provinces. During the 1st century BCE the Nabatean people coming from Petra settled 30 kilometers north of Dedan in Al-Hijr where they built 94 monumental tombs similar to the ones they dug in Petra. Lunch upon arrival on your own. Today we will start our journey with the visit of the famous Hegra (Madain Saleh) which is the first site of Saudi Arabia that was listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. Madain Saleh, whose original name was Al-Hijr or Hegra in Greek, is the southernmost important city of the Nabatean Kingdom that flourished thanks to the caravan trade between the 2nd century BCE until the Roman conquest in 106 CE. It is the second richest Nabatean city in terms of monumental tombs with 94 decorated funeral monuments including some of the most vibrant and well conserved architectural prowess of the Nabateans builders. We will lead you through this fascinating site and reveal to you the secrets of its tombs, ancient inscriptions, stone structures, and many others. Before heading to the hotel, we will visit Jebel Al-Fil (Elephant rock) for a relaxing time. Dinner & overnight in ALULA.

Day 5: Wednesday: Alula

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we depart for Dedan/ Ikmah tour. AlUla is an ancient oasis that is inhabited for the last 7000 years as testify ancient carvings in and around the oasis. During the 1st millennium BCE the city of Dedan develops thanks to its strategic location on the frankincense trade road to become one of the oldest Arabian kingdoms that ruled over most of what is today Tabuk and Madinah provinces. Visit Jebel Ikmah with its amazing rock inscriptions that make it look like an open-air library. Then will pass by the ancient city of Dedan that was an important oasis on the frankincense trade route between Southern Arabia and the Mediterranean World. Lunch on your own. Then we get a glimpse into AlUla’s not-so-distant past on the AlUla Old Town Tour. We will go through AlUla Old Town, where pilgrims, travelers and permanent settlers congregated through the ages. Inhabited from before the 12th century up until the early 1980s, AlUla Old Town offers researchers unique oral histories and living memory that the area’s other heritage sites cannot. Return to hotel. Dinner & overnight in AlUla.

Day 6: Thursday: Alula – Dissah – Tabuk

Breakfast at your hotel & check out. From Al Ula and in just three hours we would arrive in one of the must-see natural jewels of Saudi Arabia “Wadi Qaraqir” as in archaic geography “Wadi Ad-dissah” in current times. We will drive deeper inside this staggering canyon to enjoy its greenery, small water stream that flows all yearround, the sandstone mountains with heights more than 100 to 500 meters that enclave this valley, lush vegetation made of 3-meter high grass, numerous palm trees and bushes, flourishes in between the majestic cliffs of the canyon. After this thrilling experience, we will head up to a nearby farm to enjoy lunch then we head to Tabuk. Check in upon arrival. Dinner & overnight in Tabuk.

Day 7: Friday: Tabuk – Riyadh: By Flight

Breakfast at your hotel (standard check out time: 1200 hrs). This day, depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to TABUK airport to catch your flight to RIYADH. Arrival at Riyadh International airport, our representative will meet and escort the guests to their air-conditioned vehicle. We then drive for 45 minutes to Ad-Diriyah, located on the western bank of the Wadi Hanifah, a dry riverbed pwhere water flows only after big rains. Ad-Diriyah used to be the capital of the Najd (the central plateau of the Arabian Peninsula) from the 15th century until the beginning of the 18th century. It is the birthplace of the first Saudi Kingdom and its importance in the history of the Arabian Peninsula was highlighted when it was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, in 2010, as the most brilliant example of Najdi architecture. The history of Ad-Diriyah goes back thousands of years as it was on an ancient trade and pilgrimage route, acting as a meeting point for those travelling to or from Asia, Africa and Europe. Our visit to the site allows us to admire its incredible architecture before returning to downtown Riyadh. As we drive towards the city, we have the opportunity to admire the rapid development of this cosmopolitan capital, planned by the Saudi government to become the biggest metropole in the Middle East in the next 10 years. Head to hotel & check in. Dinner & overnight in RIYADH.

Day 8: Saturday: Riyadh

Breakfast at the hotel. We will start our tour of mystic Riyadh by visiting the National museum which is the primary custodian of the Saudi national heritage and culture. The Museum is a place of learning and discovery, it offers an overview to the history of Arabian civilization from Prehistory to our modern era. We continue thereafter to the nearby Murabba Palace (outside visit as in renovation) that is one of the historic buildings of the city. The palace was named after its square with the form of 400 by 400 meters. We will stop then for lunch in a typical local Saudi restaurant. Afternoon we will continue our tour of mystic Riyadh by visiting the Masmak Fort and its museum that depicts the history of the history of the conquest of Arabia by the Al-Saud family. The palace was built during the reign of Abdullah bin Rashid in the year 1895 A.D. to serve as military garrison for the Abdullah bin Rashid army. His Majesty King Abdulaziz, the father of the nation today, captured the fort in 1902 making of this fort the birthplace of the 3rd Saudi Kingdom, the modern one we live in. At the end of the afternoon, we will pass the kingdom tower & the Faisaliah , back to your hotel. Dinner & overnight in Riyadh.

Day 9: Sunday: Riyadh – Dubai: By Flight

Breakfast at your hotel. This day, depending on your departure time, you will be transferred to Riyadh airport to catch your flight to Dubai. Arrival at Dubai International airport, after visa and immigration formalities our representative will meet and escort the guests to their air-conditioned vehicle for their transfer to the hotel. Dinner & overnight in DUBAI.

Day 10: Monday Dubai

Breakfast at your hotel. We will start with a briefing meeting to introduce all the group and the guide and explain the trip .We will depart for a half day guided tour of DUBAI. You will have the opportunity to discover the spectacular and lively metropolis of Dubai. The city, developed from a small fishing village at the Dubai Creek, nowadays presents itself as a glamorous metropolis at the Arabian Gulf. The distinctive skyscrapers and gigantic shopping-malls will impress every visitor. We start with Atlantis hotel located at crescent of Palm Jumeirah After that, photo stop of Burj Al Arab hotel and continue to Jumeirah area, where we will have a photo stop of the awe-inspiring Grand Mosque of Jumeirah. Built in the medieval Fatimid tradition, this stone structure is a tribute to modern Islamic architecture. We then proceed to Bastakyia, the old town district of Dubai. Learn everything about the local history and geography. We will visit the Shindagha Museum. Another highlight will follow: you will use the local water taxis, called “Abras”, to cross the Dubai Creek. Enjoy the spectacular view of the city while heading towards the district of Deira. Here you will be enchanted by the large variety of exotic spices in the famous Spice Souk. Take the chance to get a unique and affordable souvenir when you visit the adjacent Gold Souk. Lunch in the city. In the afternoon, we will join a Desert Safari, after settling down in the 4WD vehicles, the jeeps will speed through the desert of the golden sand dunes. The dune bashing or desert driving continues with the thrill of going up and down the dunes provoking many shrieks and laughter full of excitement. The final leg of this program takes us to the main camp site. This will be the highlight of the trip. After witnessing a memorable sight – the true Arabian sunset with its glory and magic. A delicious Barbecue Dinner is prepared on open fires and a variety of beverages are available. The beat of the music increases as a Belly dancer starts dancing to the rhythm of the music. What a better way to experience a true Arabian night than this. Overnight in Dubai.

Day 11: Tuesday : Dubai – Abu Dhabi

Breakfast at the hotel. We start the tour to Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. This comprehensive tour is the ideal introduction to the UAE capital and the island on which it stands. The name Abu Dhabi means: “Father of the Gazelle”. We will start at famous Yas Island which houses the FORMULA 1 YAS circuit & the first attraction park of Ferrari in the world. An impressive attraction park, the largest covered air-conditioned park in the world with a huge RED FERRARI sign as landmark. Then we will continue towards Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque, one of the largest Mosques in the world; able to accommodate more than 30,000 worshipers. The beautiful Mosque is completely cladded in marble and features intricate Islamic decoration and carvings as well as extensive landscaping. Then we will go towards Abu Dhabi downtown. Lunch in the city. After lunch, we will drive along the spectacular Corniche, past gleaming white mosques, glass-clad offices and elegant high-rise apartments to the tip of the breakwater for a superb view of the city’s magnificent skyline. Then will drive through the famous giant Saadiyat Island project where the museums are being built to complete the image of ABU DHABI as a cultural city. We will also pass by the famous site of Abrahamic Family House. In the late afternoon we will visit the Louvre Museum, The Louvre Abu Dhabi is an art and civilization museum, located on the Saadiyat Island Cultural District. Finally, we will check in at the hotel. Dinner & overnight in ABU DHABI.

Day 12: Wednesday :Abu Dhabi – Al Ain

Breakfast at your hotel. We leave Abu Dhabi in the morning to AL AIN. This morning we will continue to Al Ain. which is located on the Hajjar Mountains, it is one of the oldest cities in the UAE, rich in traditions. For thousands of years the oasis of Al Ain has been an important caravan stop on the ancient trade routes across Arabia. We continue to Jebel Hafeet will take a great photo stop on. After that we will have lunch in the city. In the afternoon, we will visit the camel market, the largest in the UAE. Then we will visit also the Jahili fort, one of the largest castles in Al Ain and best-in-class example of the Islamic military architecture locally. Then we will visit Al Ain Palace, it is one the most important cultural places in Al Ain city. It is a direct testimony to the period of rule of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in Al Ain and his original place of residence there. The Palace is also the birthplace of HH Sheikh Mohamad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Then we proceed to visit Qasr AL Muwaiji, where you will learn everything about the history of this region. At the end of the afternoon, we will check in the hotel. Dinner & overnight in AL AIN.

Day 13: Thursday: Al Ain – Sharjah –Dubai – Departure

Breakfast at your hotel. This morning we will proceed towards. Dubai & Sharjah. We will reach after 2 hours and start a half day Sharjah tour. This tour will take us to Sharjah, the cultural capital or known as the ‘Pearl of the Gulf”. You will pass by the King Faisal Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Emirates. Then we pass by the renovated Fort of Sharjah, former residence of the ruling family. Then we continue to the Sharjah Heritage Museum which conserves and displays the rich traditional customs and culture of Sharjah as a source of pride and inspiration to Emiratis and to visitors to the UAE. Begin a journey of discovery through Sharjah's rich and diverse heritage and explore traditions that have endured the test of time. You will see handcrafted works of art and objects that date back to a time when local people relied solely on fishing and pearling. Trace the development of education, currency and the early postal system. We will discover the traditional skills and crafts relating to jewelry, costumes, herbal medicines, music and folklore. After the visit, it’s now time to explore the colorful Souk Al Arsa, set up in a traditional way. You will also have an opportunity to discover local traditional shops in Souk Al Arsa. Lunch will be served at a traditional local restaurant, where you’ll savor an authentic Bedouin dish: Mandi. This succulent meal, made with tender meat or fish and infused with aromatic spices unique to the region, offers a true taste of the Middle. After the tour, we return to Dubai towards the “Dubai Mall” & Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower and the centerpiece of the Gulf region's most prestigious urban development to date. Burj Dubai will radiate out in a series of ellipses from the sky breaking tower encompassing residential, commercial, hotel, entertainment and the world's largest shopping mall “Dubai Mall”. Free time for shopping. With more than 1,200 stores and a host of world-class attractions; the Middle East region’s first Galeries Lafayette department store, France’s leading fashion house and one of the top 100 global retailers. The Dubai Mall is revolutionizing the modern shopping experience. With an impressive array of leisure pursuits, this is the ultimate, cutting-edge shopping experience. A range of adventure sports vies for attention alongside the romance of ice-skating. The Dubai Mall is a place where a 21st century gold souk is set off against a world class aquarium. Step inside. The Dubai Mall and experience a place like no other. A climb to Burj Khalifa will be proposed to all our guests (optional –to pre book in advance). Depending on your departure time, you will be transferred to DUBAI airport.